Schisandra: an Adept Adaptogen US/CAN $6.95 DNA & Herbal Identity Herb Profile Schisandra Schisandra Chinensis, S
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Cinnamon & Blood Sugar • Herbal Extracts for ADHD • UK Pulls St. John’s Wort Botanical Integrity • Herbs under Attack The Journal of the American Botanical Council Number 106 | May — July 2015 Schisandra: An Adept Adaptogen US/CAN $6.95 DNA & Herbal Identity www.herbalgram.org Herb Profile Schisandra Schisandra chinensis, S. sphenanthera Family: Schisandraceae INTRODUCTION of neighboring North Korea and Siberia, mainly for domes- The plant genus Schisandra contains 19 species; of the tic consumption, although a small amount is exported to 12 that are endemic in China,1 there are two main species China. M I S S I O N D R I V E N : – Schisandra chinensis and S. sphenanthera. These are used HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE interchangeably in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the same indications at the same dosage.2 Both are decidu- Since the two species of Schisandra discussed in this arti- ous climbers with a medium rate of growth, with S. chinen- cle are used interchangeably in TCM, attributed uses apply sis growing to about 29 feet (9 meters) and S. sphenanthera to both species unless stated otherwise. growing to 23 feet (7 meters).3,4 Both have clusters of small The first recorded use of schisandra is in the early Chinese herbal medicine text Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the Divine white flowers in April through May, followed by red berries. 6 Educate S. sphenanthera fruit ripens July through September, while Husbandman’s Classic Materia Medica. It was believed to S. chinensis fruit ripens a little later, August 3,4 through October. Both species are exported Schisandra Schisandra chinensis and traded under the genus and standardized Photo ©2015 Steven Foster common name schisandra.5 The Chinese common name for schisandra is & Inspire wu wei zi, which refers to the five flavors of the fruits – wu (五, “five”) wei (味, “flavor”) zi (子, “fruit and seed”).1 Depending on the species, the common name wu wei zi is preceded by a qualifying prefix. For example, S. chinensis, or Making Outstanding Extracts recognition of our work in the propagation and con- northern schisandra, is differentiated as bei wu servation of endangered medicinal plants. wei zi (bei means northern), and S. sphenan- Has Never Been Enough. thera, or southern schisandra, is differentiated 1 It’s seen in our higher education scholarship fund, as nan wu wei zi (nan means southern). Southern schisandra is dioecious (individual Excellence in herbal extraction is at the heart of what which provides financial assistance to students of flowers are either male or female, and only one we do. But the soul of Herb Pharm’s mission is to lead naturopathic medicine and clinical herbalism. sex is found on any given plant) and mainly grows in broad-leaved forests in temperate and people to embrace herbal healthcare by educating subtropical regions of central and southern And it’s why we offer guided herb walks and educa- them on the safe and effective use of herbs, and China at altitudes of 2300-6560 feet (700-2000 tional seminars to share our expertise with herbal meters).1 Northern schisandra is monoecious inspiring a respect for plants and nature. enthusiasts and the herbally curious. (both male and female flowers are borne on the same plant) and commonly occurs in deciduous That means standing shoulder-to-shoulder with aspiring and coniferous forests of northeastern China at Educating, inspiring and offering herbalists who attend our renowned HerbaCulture altitudes of 3937-5577 feet (1200-1700 meters), outstanding herbal as well as in parts of North Korea, far northern Work-Study Program to experience traditional culti- 1 healthcare products, Japan, and the Russian Far East (RFE). vation and preparation of medicinal herbs. Most of the commercial supply of southern for more than 30 schisandra is wild-collected in the Chinese prov- It means that our organic farm is designated a years that’s been inces of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu, while the supply of northern schisandra comes from both Botanical Sanctuary by United Plant Savers in our secret formula. wild collection and wild-simulated cultiva- tion mainly from the northeastern provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. Schisandra marketed with a protected geographical indica- tion (PGI) designation is generally perceived to For more information about Herb Pharm’s educational programs be of the highest quality and fetches the highest visit us at www.herb-pharm.com/education.html prices. Some wild collection also occurs in parts or use your smart phone to scan the image to the left. www.herbalgram.org • 2015 • I SSUE 106 • 1 be one of the superior medicines that would “prolong life on Selected Medicinal Plants, Vol. 3 (2007).23 The unoffi- Crassulaceae) root and rhizome soft extract (2.5- without aging” and was said to increase energy, treat cough cial American Herbal Pharmacopoeia also provides quality 5.0:1). Both products are labeled with the same and fatigue, and serve as a male sexual tonic. standards and analytical methods.6 indication of “traditionally used as an adaptogen The dried fruit of schisandra is said to be completely in case of reduced performance ability such as balanced because it exhibits all five classically recognized CURRENT AUTHORIZED USES IN tiredness and fatigue.”31,32 flavors in Chinese herbalism, hence its Chinese name COSMETICS, FOODS, AND MEDICINES A few S. chinensis ingredients are also autho- meaning five-flavored fruit.6 The skin and pulp are both In China and other Asian regions where TCM is recog- rized for use in cosmetic products, including sweet and sour; the seed is pungent and bitter; and the fruit nized and practiced, as well as in some Western countries, callus extracts (grown in culture), essential oil overall is salty.7 It is used as a tonic and sedative, and for both species are used as active substances indicated for of the fruit, extracts of the fruit and of the seed the treatment of anxiety, asthma and chronic cough, diar- treating conditions including chronic cough and dyspnea (usually supercritical CO2 soft extracts), fruit rhea, dream-disturbed sleep, frequent urination, insomnia, (shortness of breath), nocturnal emission and spermator- powder, and fruit water (aqueous solution of night sweats, and palpitations.8-11 Conditions displaying rhea, enuresis (urinary incontinence) and frequent urina- the steam distillates obtained from the fruit). the following symptoms are treated with schisandra: dry tion, chronic diarrhea, spontaneous sweating and night Extracts of S. sphenanthera are also listed for cough, dull complexion, fatigue, labored breathing or short- sweating, thirst caused by fluid consumption and interior functions including antioxidant, antiseborrhoeic ness of breath, and weakness.9 It is also used in combination heat-wasting thirst,* palpitations, and insomnia.2 (oil-production regulating), skin conditioning, with other herbs to inhibit sweating, relieve wasting and In the United States, schisandra is permitted as a compo- and skin protecting.33 thirst, and to treat spermatorrhea (involuntary discharge nent of dietary supplement products, requiring Food and of semen), nocturnal emissions, and urinary incontinence.9 Drug Administration (FDA) notification within 30 days MODERN RESEARCH In TCM, schisandra is said to have warm properties, to act of marketing (if a “structure-function” claim is made) Pharmacological, animal, and clinical studies on the heart, lung, and kidney channels, and to have the and product manufacturing according to dietary supple- have shown schisandra to have adaptogenic, anti- following actions: antibacterial, analgesic, antitussive and ment current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs).24 oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, astrin- expectorant, cardiotonic, central nervous system and uter- The USP has developed draft dietary supplement quality gent, cardiotonic, energy-enhancing, hepatopro- ine stimulant, bile secretion promotion, and gastric secre- standards monographs for “Northern Schisandra Fruit” tective, and immune-enhancing properties.34 tion inhibition.10,11 and “Northern Schisandra Fruit Powder,” which are sched- In the former Soviet Union, interest in schisan- Different qualities and values are assigned to schisandra uled to become official in the first supplement to the 38th dra was stimulated by the Nanai (Siberian) hunt- fruits of different geographical origins. One of the more revision of the USP in August 2015.25 Certain licensed ers who used the herb to improve stamina and famous is “Fushun Liao Schisandra,” produced only in healthcare practitioners, such as licensed acupuncturists night vision and to reduce hunger and thirst. certain ecoregions of Liaoning province.12 For schisandra to (LAc) and naturopathic doctors (ND), may also dispense Research conducted in the USSR between 1940 be labeled and marketed with a PGI designation, the berries schisandra-containing preparations to their patients. and 1960 supports many of the modern uses must be produced in compliance with technical require- In Canada, both species are classified as medicinal ingre- of schisandra, specifically for improved mental ments and quality specifications established by China’s dients listed in Table 1 (General Medicinal Ingredients) of performance and increased work capacity.34 General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection the Natural Health Product (NHP) Traditional Chinese Most of the modern clinical trials have used and Quarantine (AQSIQ).13 Medicinal Ingredients monograph.26 Schisandra is also fixed combination products